Attachable or detachable top for furniture



Feb. 20, 1951 s, FLOWERS 2,542,648

'ATTA ABLE OR DETACHABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE Filed Jan. 30, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwua/n'wn STANLEY A. Howe/2s.

Feb. 20, 1951 5 FLOWERS 2,542,648

ATTACK-[ABLE OR DETACHABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE Filed Jan. 30, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 20, 1951 ATTACHABLE OR DETACHABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE Stanley A. Flowers, Oakmont, Pa., assignor to Walters Manufacturing Company, Oakmont, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 30, 1947, Serial No. 725,287

1 Claim.

This invention is an improvement in means for applying and securing covering tops, surfaced with or without porcelain or other sui able facing, to cabinet bases.

Ordinarily, as in present practice, such porcelain faced tops are made in several standard sizes, of varying thickness and lateral dimensions, by specialized manufacturers. They are then purchased by the cabinet builder -for installation on his cabinets.

The cabinets themselves may be of light economical materiaLas wood or sheet metal, 7.

usually enameled, each preferably having a top closure, in the form of a covering top of comparatively light sheet metal material, provided With surfacing porcelain, or otherwise as preflanged top framing, together with a plurality of sets of holding clips and flanges. Such sets of clips may be applied on the cabinet upper edges, or on the top itself as preferred, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

While the invention is not limited to any particular construction or design, one preferred form is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are partial perspective views illustrating progressive stages of placement of the top in position on the cabinet.

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation, of the upper portion of the cabinet, without the top.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. I

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 4, with the top in position.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6, with'the top in position, the top being broken away to show one of the holding clips on the cabinet, as when interlocked.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. '7, illustrating the clip interlock.

Fig. 9 is a composite perspective view of the cooperating clip members of the cabinet and top respectively, in spaced apart operative relationship.

Fig. 10 is a further part sectional view show ing the porcelain enameled top, or any top having an under flange in holding connection with the cabinet, by spot welded clips.

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a modified construction in which the clip is applied to the under side of a solid top.

The cabinet walls 2 are shown as of sheet metal, terminating at the top in relatively nar row inwardly extending flanges 33.

The removable top comprises a sheet metal closure 4, of suitable thickness and rigidity for providing a durable and ornamental cover for the cabinet itself, and preferably provided with a porcelain applied facing.

At equally located positions on the terminal flanges 3 of the main front and side walls 2, are secured the stationary holding catches or fasteners, in the form of clips 5. These are made of thin sheet metal, each having a spaced flange 6 and secured to flange 3, as by spot welding at l, to the continuous inner flanges 3, around the open center of the top of the cabinet.

Each clip 5 is provided, as stated, with an upwardly off-set blade or tongue 6 spaced beyond the upper surface of flange 3, providing the space 8 for reception of the inner flange 9 of the downwardly extending edge portion Ii] of the top.

Such portions are integral with the main cover member 4, and are in positions to engage the several tongues or flanges 6 of clips 5.

A seriesof clips 5, as say four, are arranged on the upper inner edge flange portions 3 of the top of the cabinet, are engageable by the flange 9 of the removable porcelain covered top 4. Each of the clip series is spaced equi-distantly around an imaginary true center :1, of each such top member.

The locking members or clips 5 are secured on inner flange 3 around the upper edge portion of the cabinet in proper positions for clamping engagement, as in Figs. 5 and '7, for connection by continuous flange 9 of the top, upon its rotation.

Thus, as in Figs. 1-3, the top is firmly pressed downwardly, and rotated to final holding posiholding arrangement with the clip flange by rotation of the entire cover, in the same manner as illustrated in Figs. 1-3 inclusive.

It will be understood that the clip members" 1 are sufficiently resilient to easily become engaged and disengaged by the partial rotation of the cover, the weight of which, or manual pressure, is of assistance in both placement and removal.

When in location, the top cover member is 'of permanent appearance, and its separability" and ease of application are of greatadvantage in,

manufacture of the two members separately, with a special economy in shipping and final assent bly for merchandising.

While a porcelain finishing top surface is an attribute of value and attractiveness,"any other surfacing may be utilized, for instance linoleum or other durable substitute;

The construction and use of the improved con struction will be readily understood and appre-' ciated by all those familiar with the art, pro-1 viding as it does for simplicity and economy in manufacture of similar "items, and in reducing cost of final assembly.

What I claim is:

A combination'cabinet and top closure of sheet metal, comprising-vertical walls defining a rectangular cabinet, at first: flange extending horizontally inwardly from the top edges of said cabinet walls and defining a rectangular opening within the outline of said vertical walls, a horizontal closure of the size and shape of the rectangle defined by said cabinet walls, an edge portion extending downwardly from the edges of said closure, a second horizontal flange extending inwardly. of said edge cportionand in juxtaposition to said first flange, bent metal clips fastened to said first flange centrally of each of said cabinet walls, each of said clips having a portion fastenedto said fiange and a resilient tongue parallel to and spaced both vertically and horizontally from said portion, the free ends of said tonguesextending outwardly of said cabinet and being spaced vertically from the surface of said first flange an'amount less than the thickness of thev second flange said second flange extending under said tongues and to engage or disengage said -flange by rotation of said closure about a vertical axis.

STANLEY'A. FLOWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numb er Name Date 197,147 Kramer Nov. 13,1877 272,471 Past Feb. 20, 1883 277,196. Barrett May 8, 1883 565,435. r Crater Aug.-l1, 1896 920,095 Stephens- Apr. 27, 1909 1,751,586 Kimp"; Mar. 25, 1930 1,940,117- Carpos Dec. 19, 1933 

